Reduced cross-protection against influenza A(H3N2) subgroup 3C.2a and 3C.3a viruses among Finnish healthcare workers vaccinated with 2013/14 seasonal influenza vaccine - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Reduced cross-protection against influenza A(H3N2) subgroup 3C.2a and 3C.3a viruses among Finnish healthcare workers vaccinated with 2013/14 seasonal influenza vaccine

Authors: Haveri A, Ikonen N, Julkunen I, Kantele A, Anttila VJ, Ruotsalainen E, Nohynek H, Lyytikalnen O, Savolainen-Kopra C

Publisher: EUR CENTRE DIS PREVENTION & CONTROL

Publication year: 2015

Journal: Eurosurveillance

Journal name in source: EUROSURVEILLANCE

Journal acronym: EUROSURVEILLANCE

Volume: 20

Issue: 5

First page : 13

Last page: 20

Number of pages: 8

ISSN: 1560-7917

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES2015.20.5.21028(external)

Abstract

Virus strains in the seasonal influenza vaccine for the 2014/15 northern hemisphere season remained unchanged from those in 2013/14. During spring 2014, drifted influenza A(H3N2) viruses, subgroup 3C.3a, were detected in Finland; another subgroup, 3C.2a, emerged in the 2014/15 season and has predominated. We monitored antibody responses against vaccine and epidemic strains (2013/14 and 2014/15) among Finnish healthcare workers after influenza vaccination with the 2013/14 vaccine. The data suggest reduced cross-protection towards both subgroups of drifted A(H3N2) viruses.